traveller said:
Anyone shopped for photographic eqpt at ebay b4? Is it safe? Like they say the camera working and all den u get it like spoilt and unusable? Den how much will shipping to Singapore cost? Anyone with experience with shopping on ebay?
Ebay is a mixed bag of bargains, over priced gear and rip-offs. Before you even consider purchasing anything on eBay the following is highly recommended:
1) RESEARCH, RESEARCH and RESEARCH the product you are interested in purchasing. Know all there is to know about it, it's market prices world wide etc. I can't emphasise how important this is to avoid paying too much.
2) Find out the local import taxes and any other hidden charges as well as payment methods etc.
3) Email the seller early and ask for an exact shipping quote along with any other questions you may have about the item. DO NOT USE SINGLISH! Figure that and any applicable taxes, import duty etc in to the final price and compare it with the prices you'll pay locally and elsewhere online.
4) Use common sense, if a bargain appears too good to be true, then chances are it is too good to be true and a rip-off scenario may occur.
5) Always check a users feedback and look for negative and neutral feedback. If the user has only a few trades on eBay and is selling a large value item it's worth paying for an escrow service.
6) Spend a LOT of time becoming familiar with the auction process and the tricks of the auction world.
7) Set a maximum bid price and STICK TO IT. Another item will show up unless it's really rare.
With that said I have a couple of hundred purchases on eBay and I've never yet had a dud item nor been ripped off. Knowing what your maximum price is and keeping a level head are keys to any auction. Above all know what you are getting in to and also understand that auctions unless otherwise stated are "Cavet Emptor" (Let the buyer beware, with no guarantees that the item will work etc and no recourse for a refund unless otherwise stated).
